Martin Zellar Trio

Martin Zellar first appeared on the Twin Cities music scene in the late '80s as the lead singer and songwriter for the alt-country pioneers, Gear Daddies. The Gear Daddies released two albums on Polygram Records, appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and toured extensively for three years before amicably parting ways in 1992. Zellar has gone on to record and perform as a solo artist and with his band The Hardways, releasing eight more albums on the Rykodisc and Owen Lee Recordings labels. More than 30 years down the road from his first release, Martin Zellar continues to make his living writing, recording, and performing music.

“…writers from Dylan to Springsteen, often tell us far more about the human condition by concentrating on life’s everyday moments. That’s the strength of Martin Zellar…” – Robert Hillburn, Los Angeles Times

“…he writes songs with a nakedness, perhaps, or lack of pretentiousness that’s particularly convincing.” – Gina Arnold, Creem Magazine

“Let’s get this straight: Martin Zellar is one of the country’s finest young songwriters and it’s doggone time he started getting the recognition he deserves.” – Steve Terrell, Santa Fe New Mexican

“While Zellar’s gravelly voice and gritty country-rock nicely suit the material, his songwriting is what really shines.” – Eric Fidler, Associated Press

“Talk about the most underrated songwriters of the past decade and this guy’s got to be in your first sentence.” – Kevin O’Hare, Newhouse News Service

“His songs are just too beautiful, too fully realized to ignore.” – Austin Chronicle, Austin, Texas “… reflective country-rock musings that only barely conceal some rather world-class emotional turmoil beneath.” – Steve Simels, Stereo Review Magazine

“Zellar’s snapshots of down-and-outers…vividly detail an entire life in under three minutes…” – Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide